Misty Rain of the Old Times

Why are there only the two of them? There are so many people around, isn't there any third party who came forward to make the deal? Could it be that the news hasn't spread yet? Or is it that Xiaoyao Pills are no longer in demand?
Chen Xuan muttered to himself, but then thought it over and felt relieved. With the current inflated market price of Xiaoyao Pills, ordinary people simply couldn't afford them. Even some people with a little wealth wouldn't be willing to spend that much money to get one just to enjoy it once.

Furthermore, he had already stated beforehand that he would only exchange, not sell, and since he couldn't offer what he wanted, people naturally gave up and just watched the show.

Of course, that's how it seems on the surface, but are so many people really completely unmoved? The problem is that Chen Xuan himself is not simple; he can't be obtained through normal transactions. Even if someone has ulterior motives, they'd have to think twice.

Then, with Wang Le and Wu Jinxun leading the way, no one else had a chance to interrupt because of their status.

The capital city is certainly not short of important figures. The older generation naturally couldn't bring themselves to come in person, and not all the younger generation came immediately. So, the two of them quickly became the leading figures here.

Looking at Wu Jinxun, Chen Xuan smiled amicably and said, "Sorry to have kept Young Master Wu waiting."

Afterwards, Wu Jinxun tried every means to control Chen Xuan, who could refine the Xiaoyao Pill. Chen Xuan was a goose that could lay golden eggs. Wu Jinxun even went so far as to mobilize the power of his family. Everyone could see the benefits. The elders of the Wu family would not miss this opportunity.

However, that's a matter for later. Right now, the transaction is the priority, and it's even part of his plan. If he can acquire some Xiaoyao Pills in the current transaction, he can secretly take control of this person in the Wu family and continuously produce Xiaoyao Pills without it seeming abrupt. Even if there are doubts later, he can say that it was exchanged this time.

Chen Xuan's attitude lessened his displeasure somewhat. He thought to himself that Chen Xuan would most likely become one of his own in the future, so he wouldn't hold it against him. He stepped forward and said with a smile, "It's alright, a little time won't make a difference. Besides, it was my rashness earlier, please don't take it to heart, sir."

As he spoke, he gestured to the female guard beside him to present the box containing the fire copper, and said again, "Sir, please take a look. I have brought twenty-six catties and seven taels of fire copper. According to your requirements, one tael can be exchanged for one piece, right?"

“That’s right,” Chen Xuan nodded.

Then Wu Jinxun said with a smile, "That's good. So that means we can exchange for a total of 423 pills, right? Whether it's Fire Copper or Xiaoyao Pills, they are all rare items. Let's calculate it carefully."

"The quantity is correct. Young Master Wu's math skills are excellent," Chen Xuan said admiringly, giving a thumbs up.

With a flash of insight, Wu Jinxun felt that Chen Xuan was mocking him, but he had no evidence, so he decided not to care. He thought to himself that with more than four hundred pills, he could only train four people to have iron kidneys. If he took them back, there probably wouldn't be any for him. There was no enough for the whole family, not even enough for the older generation who were not very energetic.

So he looked at the chilling box and said, "By the way, sir, judging from your transaction with Xiao Le just now, it seems that if you find something you like, you can exchange it temporarily, is that right?"

“That’s right,” Chen Xuan nodded without hesitation.

Overjoyed, he asked expectantly, "Sir, what do you think of this box containing the fire copper? It's made of deep-sea, millennia-old cold iron. While it can't completely seal the fire copper's heat like the Netherworld Stone, it can suppress its high temperature. It's just that its exterior is extremely cold and difficult for ordinary people to touch. So, could I exchange this box for the Carefree Pill from you?"

He saw Chen Xuan using a large number of Xiaoyao Pills to exchange for a box from Wang Le and started to have ideas. Speaking of which, the box he made of cold iron is not much less valuable than fire copper, it's just that the properties are different, otherwise how could it suppress the heat of fire copper?

He originally brought the fire copper trade with the intention of taking the box back with him. As for how 'Chen Xuan' would store the fire copper after the trade, that was none of his business. But now, having learned from past mistakes, he might as well exchange it all at once. Even if it's not as valuable as the Netherfrost Stone, he'll still make a profit. Otherwise, the box would just end up gathering dust in the warehouse.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan shook his head apologetically and said, "I'm sorry, Young Master Wu, I don't need Cold Iron."

Cold iron is cold iron. What's with all this talk of ten-thousand-year-old cold iron? Does adding a ten-thousand-year prefix change it from cold iron? Even if it's a hundred thousand or a million years old, it's still cold iron. Its essence won't change.

The truth is, Chen Xuan was also somewhat tempted. Cold Iron, like Fire Copper, is a precious material. Just because he doesn't need it now doesn't mean he won't need it in the future. It's always good to stockpile it. As for the others, he actually used the Carefree Pill to exchange for them. However, as for the Wu family, well, they can stay out of the way. They're targeting you, so what can you do about it? You should be happy that I haven't even started causing trouble for your family yet.

Cold Iron isn't as rare and hard to come by as White Cloud Wood, so Chen Xuan didn't even bother to come up with a reason before refusing. He had a trick up his sleeve: "I have the Carefree Pill, which is currently the only one of its kind. With that, how could I not get Cold Iron? I don't care about anything from the Wu family. I wouldn't even take it if it were given to me. I'd rather snatch it. It's a matter of attitude."

Wu Jinxun's face darkened. Although he didn't know that Chen Xuan was deliberately targeting him, Chen Xuan was willing to pay a "high price" to exchange with Wang Le, but Chen Xuan didn't even say a nice word to him. Where did Chen Xuan put him?

You should know that someone of his status is most concerned about his reputation, but Chen Xuan doesn't need to. What can he do?
Wu Jinxun sneered inwardly, thinking to himself that he would regret this, but nodded and smiled, saying, "Then it's just a pity. Well then, sir, what else can you offer in exchange? I'll have someone go back to the storeroom to look for something."

"Ice silkworm silk and white cloud wood—that's all we need for now. Can Young Master Wu get them?" Chen Xuan asked with a smile, thinking to himself, "You're just putting on an act; you'll be laughing soon enough." Hearing this, Wu Jinxun pondered, "Ice silkworm silk? We don't have any at home. The Cold Mountain Sword Sect should have some, so we'll have to buy some later. As for white cloud wood, I've never heard of it, but since it exists, we should be able to find clues by searching through ancient texts..."

If the Ice Silkworm Silk can be exchanged for the Carefree Pill from Chen Xuan, then it's definitely not just the Wu family who will be going to the Cold Mountain Sword Sect to obtain it next; the competition will be fierce.

At this point, Wu Jinxun smiled in surprise, "Having said all that, why don't you examine the fire copper I brought? Although I would never shortchange you, it's quite valuable, so it's best to have it checked."

At this moment, he thought Chen Xuan was being very generous, trusting him without even looking at him. As for Wang Le, he had checked him carefully. Hmm, this guy knows how to handle things. It seems I'll have to be nicer to him in the future.

From the perspective of a powerful family, he was already incredibly confident that Chen Xuan was already his for the taking.

However, Chen Xuan gently pushed the cold iron box on the table toward him and said regretfully, "Young Master Wu may not have understood what I meant. Didn't I just say that we need to exchange the Free and Easy Pill for Ice Silkworm Silk and White Cloud Wood? Even if you can't get the White Cloud Wood, I will still reward you for providing clues."

Sure enough, this cold iron truly lives up to its name. Although it had no effect on Chen Xuan, it was roughly estimated that an ordinary person would be frozen into an ice sculpture after just a moment of direct contact. If it were used to forge weapons, it would enhance ice-based martial arts by at least 30%, and more is not impossible, depending on the forging skill.

"Hmm?" Upon seeing this, Wu Jinxun frowned, somewhat understanding yet still not quite.

"Your reaction is a bit slow," Chen Xuan smiled and said bluntly, "Young Master Wu, please forgive me. I need Fire Copper, Ice Silkworm Silk, and White Cloud Wood. After the transaction with Young Master Wang, I have enough Fire Copper, so I don't need any more. There's no point in bringing more. Therefore, I will only use the Carefree Pill to exchange for Ice Silkworm Silk and White Cloud Wood. So I'm truly sorry."

Upon hearing this, Wu Jinxun's face darkened. He felt that Chen Xuan's smiling face was full of endless mockery, and he wished he could punch him.

Chen Xuan still wore an apologetic smile, thinking to himself, "I'm targeting you, go ahead and try to lay a hand on me!"
I may not be a good person, but I won't act without a reason. There has to be a cause. But if you give me the chance, I'll see if I don't kill you on the spot. I've even killed a prince in public, what's one more than you?

The Wu family's targeting of Xiao Gao is a clash of ideologies, and Chen Xuan will not intervene unless Xiao Gao brings it up himself. However, if the Wu family provokes Chen Xuan, he will have to handle the personal grudges in his own way.

He didn't need the Cold Iron he offered, and now he doesn't even need Fire Copper!

Wu Jinxun, who was not very magnanimous to begin with, was so angry that his anger almost reached the top of his head. However, since the other party did not need it, he could not force them to buy or sell. On the surface, he still had to maintain the demeanor of a noble family.

He gritted his teeth inwardly, then calmed down, shook his head, and smiled, "That's truly a pity. I was too late and missed the opportunity. No worries, even if a deal falls through, we can still be on good terms. There will be other opportunities in the future. Sir, you need ice silkworm silk, right? I'll try my best to get some later. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he turned and left without hesitation, and even forgot to say goodbye to Wang Le.

His subordinates gave Chen Xuan a deep look, then took the cold iron box and followed.

Chen Xuan maintained his amiable smile, watching his retreating figure as he turned away. He thought to himself, "He's really good at holding back. He didn't even get angry and flip the table?" It's understandable, though. This person is from a family with a history spanning hundreds of years. They naturally have manners and composure. They wouldn't resort to violence at the slightest disagreement like people in the martial arts world. Otherwise, it would be the behavior of a reckless person, which would only invite ridicule.

Given the Wu family's magnanimity, it's highly likely they won't let this go. Having already offended them, Chen Xuan didn't mind adding fuel to the fire, and instructed Wu Jinxun's retreating figure, "Young Master Wu, you'd better hurry. I no longer need the fire copper, and I don't need much ice silkworm silk either. If someone else brings enough ice silkworm silk first, I'm afraid I'll have to apologize again."

"Sure, I'll try my best," Wu Jinxun said with a smile as he turned around, but his eyes held a deeper meaning.

As he led his men out of the crowd, Wu Jinxun felt that everyone around him was looking at him with mockery, and his heart grew colder and colder.

After avoiding the crowd, he ordered in a deep voice, "Send men to keep a close eye on him. If he gets alone, bring him to me immediately, no matter the cost. Then let's see if he'll still be laughing!"

"Yes!"

Turning his gaze away, Chen Xuan's lips curled into a slight smile. He thought to himself, "Little Gao, I wasn't doing this to get revenge for you; they provoked me..." (End of Chapter)